Cliffe Knechtle shared an amazing illustration of God’s forgiveness and grace offered to all human beings, regardless of what they have done.
God’s forgiveness and grace
In one interview, apologist Cliffe presented how God is so wonderful and no one is too far gone or too dirty for His mercy and grace. He recalled his experience ministering to a prison in Lawrence, Massachusetts, specifically to one inmate who was incarcerated due to sexual abuse against young boys.
Cliffe ministered to a man in protective custody because he used to kidnap boys and sexually assault and murder them. Other inmates questioned Cliffe about his decision to be with the man, but he only shared the kindness and mercy of God, which the man needed.
He said, “I know what he did. Pretty horrendous, grotesque, and evil. But he is still a human being, created image of God, and God offers him forgiveness, as horrible as that is.”
Moreover, Cliffe pointed out that not committing any crime doesn’t make one person superior to the one who has committed one. Everyone is in desperate need of God’s grace because everyone has sinned against God. And everyone needs the Savior who will save them from the death of their sins.
He said, “Now, there’s a part of me that doesn’t like that ’cause I’ve never kidnapped little boys, sexually molested and murdered them. So, I think I’m better. No, unfortunately, I’m not better. Because in my own sophisticated and erudite way, I have rebelled against God. I am in desperate need of God’s grace His forgiveness. And for me to look down on a guy like that and say, oh, you’re just so inferior. You’re just a piece of dirt. No, he’s a human being, created image of God.”
Cliffe’s story teaches us to be humble and to look at others and honor them as created in the image of God.
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